Short Story: The Ancient Song: Part III

The Ancient Song

Who is that?Hey! Hey! I scream.That person doesn’t answer.I start running, but I don’t seem to get any closer.The white sand makes it hard to run.I just want to know who that is!Hey, you! Please stop…I scream on the top of my lungs.He doesn’t even turn.A huge wave is coming but it seems to be going in his direction. If he doesn’t get out of there, he’ll drown.I scream, but he doesn’t turn.There’s no saving him. The wave is about to touch the ground.What’s happening? The wave is coming over here. I run, the other way.It’s about to crash, I’m about to die.Nooooo…

Tia woke up with a start. The fidgety sleep of last night had done her no good. It was then that she decided that she’ll catch some sleep while she can.

After hours of brainstorming about the clues that she had received, Tia was quite unsure about what she had gotten herself into, this time, around.

With two vague clues, she wasn’t very hopeful about this mystery. That’s when Michael called.

‘I’m sorry, I had a bad day, and I ended up drinking. I’m really sorry. It won’t happen again.’

‘I believe you. I’d really like to ask the reason for that bad day, but right now I’m stuck with some work that I have to finish by tonight.’

‘Work? I thought you said you’re not taking up anything for a year. Why this?’

‘As much as I’d like to defend myself, I can’t. I just couldn’t let it go. I’m sorry. But it’ll be over soon and I promise, no more work after this.’

‘Promise me one thing, you’ll take care of yourself, won’t you?’

‘That’s the exact same thing I was about to say to you.’

‘Don’t worry. I promise.’

‘Okay, then. I’ll get back to work. I love you.’

‘I love you and I miss you. Just get this over with.’

‘Sure.’

At around 2:57 p.m., the doorbell rang. The ninth hour from sunrise was three minutes away.

She ran to the door. Took a deep breath and opened the door. There was no one out there.But there was a package on the carpet, too beautiful for something dangerous. She took the package and opened it. Amongst tiny bits of white paper, was a white vintage hand mirror. She looked at her own reflection through it and recited the lines, ‘the one who hides in disguise, shall be found at the ninth hour from sunrise.’

So, I am the one. I have something that this person wants, and he wants it today.

He called at about 8 p.m. yesterday so I have that much time to figure out what he wants to save the life that is in danger.

I need to know this ancient song that the verse talks about. I have no recollection of any such lullaby or song that was sacred, or special. I’d better call grammy, she thought.

‘To what do I owe the pleasure? Did you finally take a break from work?’

‘Ah, grammy, why do you always say that? You make it sound as if I never call!’

‘You ask yourself that, child. I don’t even remember when you called me last. Anyway, you have to come visit me this week, the carnival is about to begin. You used to love going there when you were here.’

‘Grammy, I’m not a little kid anymore, I don’t like that kind of stuff anymore but I’ll come anyway.’

‘Now that’s my little girl.’

‘Um, Grammy, I wanted to know if you know, if there was any song that mum or dad used to sing to me?

‘Not one that I can remember. You never were a fan of any kind of noise, even if it was a pleasant one. Why do you ask? Is everything alright, my dear?’

‘Oh, no, everything’s fine. I just had this dream and there were people singing a song to me, and it was really beautiful but I couldn’t make out who they were but I was really happy. I don’t remember anything about the song, just that I’d like to hear it again. I thought it must be one from my childhood, something that my parents must have used to sing to me.’

‘My dear, are you sure it wasn’t one of the songs you recently listened to?’

‘Oh, I am sure. It was unlike any that I’ve heard. It could even be you, you know?’

‘You never liked lullabies if that’s what you’re thinking. You always preferred silence.’

‘Was there any song that all of you guys used to sing together, like something in the family, kind of a legacy?’

‘The only thing common between me and your mom were the wedding vows we sang.’

‘Your wedding vows?’ she asked, taken aback.

‘Yes, your grandfather’s best friend was a renowned musician of his time. He insisted on making a song out of our wedding vows. On a special request from your Grandpa, your parents sang the same. It is really beautiful. Shall I sing it to you?’

‘Oh no no, I’m quite sure that’s not what I’m looking for.’ another lost cause, she thought.

‘Are you?’

‘Yeah, totally. I think I’ll just have to wait until I listen to that song in my dream again.’

‘Well, you can wait for that or you can come visit me and we can go to the carnival where there’ll be so many happy songs. I’m pretty sure you’ll find the one here.’

‘Oh Grammy, I’ll come, I promise.’ she couldn’t help laughing.

‘Are you working on a case?’

‘As a matter of fact, I am and I’m kind of stuck with something, things are just not making sense.’

‘I think you always try to go too deep into things. Sometimes, my dear, things are as clear as they seem on the surface. Not everything has a hidden meaning.’

‘You’re right. That’s all the help that I needed Grammy.’

‘I’m always here. And I’m buying the tickets for us, you better show up girl.’

‘I’ll be there, I promise. I love you.’

‘I love you too, child, see you then.’

She thought, Grammy’s right, not everything has a hidden meaning. I should explore the surface.With a stronger resolve, Tia laid down the clues and looked them over, yet again.

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Radhika Mundra

Hey, I'm Radhika. I write for people who want to bring about a change in their lives by looking at life with a fresher perspective. I show them how to spice up their lifestyle by inculcating small changes, one story at a time! If you are ready to see the world through my eyes, join me right this second at expressinglife.in